British Industrial History

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and
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people who designed and built them.

G. Alsing

From Graces Guide

1868 Imports a velocipede from Paris. The person using it occupies a saddle seat perched between two wheels, one in front and one in the rear, the former a little larger than the other. On each side of the front or driving wheels are treadles, which are driven by the feet and supply the motive power. Above these ans over the wheel a cross handle is fixed, which serves as a support for the hands, is serviceable in preserving the balance, and acting on the wheel beneath directs the course of the vehicle right or left as may be wanted. Preserving the balance with no other support than the narrow rim of wheels placed one right in front of the other seems to people who read of or see the velocipede for the first time an insurmountable difficulty. Mr Alsing, without experience, being able to get his machine in motion, and drive round the large hall, avoiding obstacles with the utmost facility. Mr Alsing intends entering upon the local manufacturer of velocipedes. [1]